Stilettos at Stourhead

Depending on how long you've been reading my blog, you may remember my short travel account of visiting The National Trust's Stourhead last Spring. I came away entirely convinced that no other time of year's visit to Stourhead could possibly compete with that of the warmer months. However, when visiting this past week in close-to-freezing temperatures, I was proved wrong - very wrong! A gorgeous pair of Carvela Kurt Geiger Kiara Heelsfound themselves on my feet thanks to House of Fraser and I knew exactly the location I wanted to introduce them to...

Buried deep in the expansive grounds of Stourhead's Gardens is the iconic Pantheon designed by famous architect Henry Flitcroft. Most of these photos were taken on the handful of steps leading up to the 18th-Century building, a viewpoint that offered a breathtakingly beautiful view of the lake. Just like the many other National Trust properties and grounds scattered across England, Stourhead has an undeniable charm and one that welcomes stilettos and fur-trimmed red coats with open arms - at least on the flat-surfaced steps of its historic Pantheon!

I picked up this Karen Millen faux fur-trimmed coat a couple of years ago and have continued to wear it just a handful of times since; this was mainly due to having assigned a strict list of rules to the knee-length beauty. Hair needed to be worn trailing down the back, jeans/trousers were out of the question and it absolutely had to be styled with heels and I mean very high heels. Combine these rules with the picturesque grounds of Stourhead and I'm relieved to have not gone overboard with 'closet clearouts' since the coat's purchase!

The gardens of Stourhead are still firmly up there on my list of favourite places to visit in the UK; the various buildings scattered around the lake, the friendly 'hello's' from everyone you pass and the colourful reflections on the lake's surface. Most of all, however, I love how the place seems to draw the best out of each season - it's truly the ideal location to photograph anything at all and yes, that includes fur-trimmed coats and satin peeptoe stilettos!Stourhead StourtonWiltshireBA12 6QF

134 comments

Those heels are really to die for! You have styled them wonderfully! I really like how you paired them with that lovely red coats....and fur details make it even more perfect. Impeccably elegant and wonderfully feminine outfit. You look utterly beautiful.

This location is an absolute dream. These photograhs are truly exceptional. Such an inspiring post!

What a beautiful place and those heels sure match its beauty. The coat is so chic as well, Gabrielle. Can't even tell you enough how much I admire you high-heel-wearing skills, honey :) I have a nice little collection of sky-high beauties but sadly so rarely take them out. This post is a great reminder than gorgeous shoes DEMAND to be taken out to gorgeous places ;)Hope you are having a really lovely weekend!xox Nadiahttp://www.mielandmint.com/

Hello Lovely, What a beautiful place! on those heels are gorgeous! They are probably too hight for me but they look very comfy. I love the way you styled them, always so classy.Have a happy weekend bella.Glamoury Armory Blog

Those grounds and gardens look lovely, I so enjoy walking around areas like that but unfortunately I think they're much more plentiful in Europe than in Australia! Love the pop of red with your coat as well.

Your look is so classy and glamorous Gabrielle! I'm glad you kept that stunning Karen Millen coat, as it was MADE to be worn with these sky high Kurt Geigers! I love exploring National Trust areas, although I've not been to Stourhead yet. It looks really magnificent and your photography is fab

Stourhead's garden looks amazing! The whole place looks as if it's been taken out of a film. :D I always look forward to seeing the stunning photographs that you include in your posts, they look amazing. You look so beautiful and elegant! The red coat and stilettos look great on you! :D Thanks for sharing another lovely post, have a nice week!

Beautiful location (and beautiful heels!). I'm surprised that that place isn't buzzing with tourists, it is so beautiful and photogenic. I also adore your coat, it goes with your shoes and your hair really well - it's a really nice outfit dude c:

Wow those pictures!! and THOSE heels ! You look so chic dear Gabrielle, and those shoes are made for you ;)(I think I'll never be able to walk in heels like those, but I admire girls who are!)Btw, I love this coat, the color is perfect to brighten up gray winter days ;)

Beautiful photos! I love the location and you look amazing! So classy and chic! I definitely want to visit Stourhead now! Also I love your heels and I have no idea how you managed to walk in them, I guess you're not super clumsy like me haha :) xx

Wow, you look so royal! With the red coat, the heels and the historic (and very pretty) nature of Stourhead - I feel like it's very fitting! And the heels are so high I'm surprised you could walk in them haha. Sounds like a great day though, and your pictures are beautiful :)

Oh my gosh! Those shoes! That hat!! It's all so amazing! I LOVE heels and I really wish I could walk in them haha! I am about 5'7" so I am also a bit self conscious about my height in reallly high heels! You are rocking them though!! Keep on rocking girl!Shannon Sage

This location is so beautiful! It reminds me a scene on the movie "Pride and Prejudice" with Keira Knightley.It's not the first time I say it but your hair is soooo gorgeous. With those heels (to die for btw) and this red coat you look absolutely stunning Gabrielle!One of my favorite post on your blog :)

These heels are AMAZING! I saw them on Twitter and couldn't wait for your post!! I don't even know if I could wear those without hurting myself lol. The gorgeous red coat by Karen Millen is the perfect addition, u look so chic! Hope u had a lovely weekend:-)

wow, what an amazing place to take photos and what a perfect outfit to make these photos just perfect :) I love this elegant, feminine and classy outfit, matching so perfect to you :) especially the shoes are so adorable and cute *_*http://www.youtube.com/c/MissLovelyAttitudehttp://lovelyattitude.com

Such a beautiful place! I think I remember it from your earlier writings:) The heels are stunning (I don't think Kurt Geiger makes non-stunning shoes??) but the coat was what immediately caught my eye. I have a couple of knee-length coats too, and you're so right: They look much better with heels and a dress or a skirt:)

I do remember your post last year. Marvellous snapshots of Stourhead, I've not been, but judging from thees photos I must change that. Smashing Karen Millen coat, wouldn't expect anything less than great and it looks so luxurious. Have a lovely new week Gabrielle. Style Files

Wow Gabrielle you look so beautiful! Those coat matching problems was worth it if you ask me, you really do look incredible! I saw the second photo on your Instagram and this place looks so beautiful! I hope I get the chance to visit some day! xx

Gabrielle, you look simply elegant and oh so chic! I adore everything about your outfit, from your gorgeous coat, down to those fabulous pumps! It looks like you had a wonderful stay; Stourhead does indeed look lovely! Thanks so much for sharing, beauty, and I hope you're having a wonderful start to your week so far!

Great post just as your all blog. I think that you are an awesome blogger, and I wish you luck in future! Kisses :* If you want, look my blog and follow me if you like it. <3 http://fdiarybyz.blogspot.hr/